Tilling carefully, trip-wires mostly broken Rashid had no choice anymore. Starve, or go the same way as Yasmin, Malik and the others.
He had been lucky to see peace, but when he closed his eyes he could still see the tangerine cloud that changed him from husband to widower.
He limped forward another step, using his spade as crutch. He placed another precious seed into the fertile ground, though he knew that his vegetables would taste of their spilled blood.
A farmer cannot cease transforming battlegrounds to food. It had been ten years since the last explosion. Rashid still waited.
© Connie Gayer …(Mrs. Russell)
This one brought the disasters of landmines into mind… with all the wars going on I expect this could be a story that will continue to plague us way into the foreseeable future.
This week is exciting as we finally have our release party for the published book. I know very few of you can come to Stockholm, but to stay updated you can like our facebook page. On Saturday we will have bookreadings and offer snacks and wine.
Our books have arrived.
Friday Fictioneers is a site were we share stories to the same pictures each week. We are a peaceful group under the stewardship of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and many of the most skilled writers on the internet come here every week.
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November 4, 2015
Strong literary images “the tangerine cloud that changed him from husband to widower” and “… that his vegetables would taste of their spilled blood.” stick in my mind.
Isn’t is so that when we use our language to paint an image we can reach the heart of people?
Yes, indeed. It is the main motivation of why I write and strive to continually improve my language skills …
I just want to make people laugh. 😛
Dear Björn,
Graham took the words right out from under my fingers. 😉 Strong images made his heartache tangible.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I love to paint with black… somehow it makes the world colorful.
Heady stuff…it really made me think. The image of “transforming battlegrounds to food” touched me
And yet this has happened in so many places around the world.
Yes, too many
Oh my goodness. This is awesome! I love it. Especially these:
“when he closed his eyes he could still see the tangerine cloud that changed him”
“though he knew that his vegetables would taste of their spilled blood”
The last paragraph. This was very creative writing; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I love to bring a subject from newspapers into light in colored prose.
Very deep and thought provoking prose. Congratulations on the book.
Out or the ruin of war we always rebuild or regrow! Excellent story!
At a terrible price though
Yes. Easier to stop the wars!
I can’t take a tangerine cloud out of my mind’s eye……”A farmer cannot cease transforming battlegrounds to food. ” is a beautiful line: speaks volume. Well done!
I think those field filled with mines is something that is on my mind a lot.
That ‘tangerine cloud’ is a very, very strong image. Such an excellent reminder of what remains, when the fighting is over. Well done, Bjorn.
Winning the peace is a long work.
Truly strong words here my friend.
The disasters of landmines reminded me of this upcoming movie that’s coming out soon in theaters.
Based on a true story.
The 33 – Official Trailer [HD]
A film to watch out for then
Yes, very much. 🙂
I think it has all been said already, Bjorn.
This is another great piece of writing from you.
I think you are improving every week.
Thank you… for me it helps to see which story feels most important to tell
Fascinating thought…fields of death once more becoming fields of life. Good one, Bjorn.
I hope that it will happen, it has happened so many times before.
Beautifully written my friend, and congratulations on the published work. Wished I could be there but Stockholm is a bit far from London. I wish you all the best. Maybe when I have more free time, I would join Friday Fictioneers.
Cheers. 🙂
It’s a great workshop for writing.
Hope against hope survives all.
I hope so.. at least till the next mine blows.
The endless cycle of war… Funny how there’s never a politician around to replant, rebuild, regret.
Congratulations on the publication.
Oh.. they are there signing the treaty, and will go to Oslo picking up the price… but peace is built afterwards.
Powerful imagery 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I agree with CE – all has been said on this wonderful, yet tragic, tale.
Thank you.. this felt like an important tale to tell
Well you did a great job!
it wasn’t a question of “if” but “when” it would happen. it was admirable of him to keep his sanity under such condtions.
I think he had to.. but I have a feeling he’s weary now.
You’ve painted a grim story very well with your words. Congrats on your book. Wish I could come for the wine. 🙂
Lily
Thank you.. alas I think this could be true.
what we do to each other – in the name of what and for what?
Randy
For making money on mines?
Oh, I wish I could come for snacks and wine and to see the unfolding of this book . . .
That said, wonderful imagery in the, Bjorn. You really brought out the strength needed to survive.
Thank you.. I think every morning is an ordeal in a case like this.
Sad, powerful imagery makes me hate war more. Yes, farmer has compulsion to plant seeds, even in blood-stained ground.
I think a farmer fell an obligation for growth…
Very cool… I can envision this very scene! 🙂
It’s a scene for nightmares I guess.
Very exciting about your book. The story about the trip wire is very tragic because it is real.
So nice to hold a book in your hand.
I can imagine. Seems an impossible dream almost.
All good fortune on the new book, Bjorn. Good, although sad, story based on reality. —- Suzanne
I think we have not seen the last of all horrors to come.
Congratulations for the book publishing news.
The stats are terrifying on Land Mines. Today, there are an estimated 110 million anti-personnel mines in the ground and another 250 million stockpiled in at least 108 countries around the world. You have conveyed that horror well.
The statistics made me feel even worse… and when combined with one real story it makes it worse.
Graphically beautiful, you are a master with words and description!
Congratulations on the book, wishing you all the best!
Thank you 🙂 this felt important to tell, then it’s easier
This is a great take on the prompt Dawn. It is a sad commentary on modern society but a great piece.
Alas it could be exactly the truth.. but it was the first I thought of when I saw the wire in the ground.
And my first thought was about people being chased from their homes by bombs. All our minds are turned towards the turmoil these days I am afraid.
Sorry Bjorn. I thought this was Dawn’s piece until I surfed back to the top of the page….
🙂 I see that as a compliment.
Excellent piece, Bjorn. And congrats on the book release. I would love to hear the reading. I remember the time you posted a clip reading a poem. You have a great voice.
I hope we will have a great event… I might do a reading again at one point.
You have handled the prompt perfectly.
Thank you.
Great story, very real and gritty. Some great imagery, especially the “tangerine cloud” and the “spilled blood” line.
I think this is too real still… the soil is flesh.
That’s very moving and probably very real. The war never ends for some.
I think when you have to stay it’s really hard.. so many memories.
It brings to mind the poppy fields of France. So tragic, to remain trapped in a place through poverty and war, with the death of your loved ones a constant reminder and then have to depend upon the soil, all washed through with blood, for the continuance of your own wretched life.
So well written and thought-provoking.
I think there are more poppy than grain sometimes.
Nobody need go without grain in any part of the world, if only there were a way to get the mountains of perfectly good food that’s thrown away in the European Community shipped to those in war-torn and/ or drought-ridden countries.
Great piece, very purposeful and very powerfully written. Great job!
Thank you Perry… I wish I could write humor.. but somehow only tragedy seeps through my mind.
Excellent strong piece. I can see the inspiration in our current affairs, sadly
The ones who profit from landmines should be the ones to clean up the land, alas… very powerful story. The beauty of the words contrasts the horrors. And congrats to the book.
Congrats on your book!
You would think eventually land mines would go the way of the battle ax.
Brilliant and powerful, Bjorn. The imagery and the pain we feel reading it: masterful!
Also, kudos to you and your mates on the book!!!
Landmines are so tragic. They actually make me really angry when I think how people suffer long after wars because of them. Congrats on your book! How thrilling. I wish you great success, Bjorn.
Ringing of a sad truth. Well done!
A very powerful read. I like where the prompt took you. For all its loss and sadness, this is a story of hope.
Powerful story and if I could come to Stockholm I would love to celebrate with you and get my signed copy!
strong but true words, great post
Good story. Sorry it is so true. Well done on your book launch.
A wonderfully moving portrait. Beautiful images and emotions.